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ABOUT US

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2021 Volunteer Impact

Volunteer Strength: 294


Volunteer Service: 14,268 hours

Missions: 56

Our Mission

 The Hays County Community Emergency Response Team (HCCERT) program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. HCCERT offers a consistent nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. 

What we do

CERT offers a consistent, nationwide approach to volunteer training and organization that professional responders can rely on during disaster situations, allowing them to focus on more complex tasks. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to take more active roles in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

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CERT History

The CERT concept was developed and implemented by the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. The Whittier Narrows earthquake in 1987 underscored the area-wide threat of a major disaster in California. Further, it confirmed the need for training civilians to meet their immediate needs.

CERT became a national program in 1993. There are now CERT programs in all 50 states, including many tribal nations and U.S. territories. Each is unique to its community and all are essential to building a Culture of Preparedness in the United States. There are over 2,700 local CERT programs nationwide and more than 600,000 people have trained since CERT became a national program.

Hays County CERT Lineage

Activated on March 7, 2003, at Wimberley Fire Rescue, Hays County, Texas, as Wimberley Valley Community Emergency Response Team.

Participated in the Memorial Day Flood

2004

Participated in Tropical Storm Erin

August 14-August 20, 2007

Participated in Labor Day Wildfire

September 4, 2011

Participated in Severe Storms and Flooding

October 30-October 31, 2013

Redesignated on March 3, 2015, at Hays County Office of Emergency Services, Hays County, Texas, as Hays County Community Emergency Response Team.

Participated in Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding

May 4, 2015 - June 22nd, 2015

Participated in Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, and Flooding

October 22, 2015 - October 31st, 2015

Participated in Hurricane Harvey

August 23, 2017 - September 15, 2017

Participated in Hurricane Laura

August 23, 2020 - August 27th, 2020

Participated in COVID-19 Pandemic

January 2020 - Present

Participated in Severe Winter Storm

February 11th, 2021 - February 21st, 2021

Honors

Hays County Sheriff's Office Special Award

February 21,, 2008

Hays County Commissioners Court Recognition

August 29, 2017

City of Kyle Proclamation

September 6, 2022

Hays County Community Emergency Response Team Divisions

  • San Marcos Division

  • Kyle / Buda Division

  • Dripping Springs Division

  • Wimberley Division

  • Texas State University Division

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